MACULAR DEGENERATION

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MACULAR DEGENERATION

 

Macular degeneration (MD) is an irreversible eye disorder affecting

over 13 million Americans. In fact, more people are affected by MD

than by glaucoma and cataracts combined. It is the leading cause of

blindness in those over the age of 55, with a new case of age-

related macular degeneration (AMD) diagnosed every three minutes.

(Age-related macular degeneration is a term used for the disorder

when it affects people over the age of 60.) The cause of AMD is not

known, but it seems that this condition runs in families. It affects

an equal number of women and men, but seems to be more common among

Caucasians than African-Americans.

 

What is macular degeneration?

 

Macular degeneration refers to the breakdown of the macula – the

central portion of the retina. The function of the retina is to

receive visual images, to partially analyze them and transmit the

information to the brain. The macula contains the most concentrated

collection of light-sensing nerves in the retina and is responsible

for producing the most critical vision such as visual acuity. There

is a rich supply of blood vessels that carry oxygen and important

nutrients to the retina that are required for healthy vision. The

retina has no pain nerve fibers, therefore most diseases that affect

the retina do not cause pain.

 

There are actually two forms of MD. The first, atrophic or dry MD,

results from a gradual breakdown and degeneration of critical

photoreceptors in the eye that provide night vision and visual

acuity. The second, exudative or wet MD, is caused by leaks in the

blood vessels of the retina. The bleeding causes scarring and

retinal tissue death. About 80-to-85% of those with AMD have the

atrophic form; but 80-to-85% of severe vision loss can be attributed

to the exudative form. About 10% of those with atrophic MD will

also develop the wet form.

 

What are the symptoms?

 

With macular degeneration there is typically a loss of vision in

both eyes. The initial symptom may be a distortion of vision in one

eye, causing straight lines to appear wavy. Eventually, loss of

central vision worsens making it difficult to see at long distances,

read up close, see faces clearly or distinguish colors. Peripheral

vision (what you see out of the corner of your eye) is not affected.

 

What causes age-related macular degeneration?

 

Although there are no definitive answers as to what specifically

causes AMD, there are a few emerging theories that may help explain

what circumstances lead to the problem. Since the macula depends for

its healthy functioning on one of the highest rates of blood flow

through its blood vessels, anything that interferes with this blood

flow can cause the macula to malfunction. The following dietary or

lifestyle choices can reduce the supply of oxygen and vital

nutrients to the retina and eventually lead to the death of cells in

the retina and macula.

 

Smoking can decrease blood supply by causing a narrowing of the

blood vessels and a thickening of the blood, much the same as in a

heart attack or stroke.

 

High saturated fat diets can cause plaque build up along blood

vessel walls, including the macular vessels, slowing down blood

flow.

 

A lack of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein,

may increase the ability of plaque to stick to the blood vessel

walls and promote the damage of the tissue.

 

What can I do to prevent age-related macular degeneration?

 

Follow a diet that is very low in saturated fat and rich in

antioxidants, focusing on vegetables, fruit, legumes including soy,

whole grains and fish.

 

Try to choose foods (or take supplements) that contain vitamin C,

vitamin E and lutein. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits,

melons, tomatoes, potatoes, and broccoli. You can get vitamin E from

soybeans, greens, fish, wheat germ, nuts and seeds. Lutein is found

naturally in spinach, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, and

peas.

 

Don't smoke and avoid exposure to second hand smoke.

 

Protect your eyes. Be sure to wear sunglasses that contain UV

protection.

 

Nutritional Supplements and Eye Health

 

The following are nutrients, botanicals and other compounds that the

Polaris CustomPak Program recommends for this specific health

condition. These ingredients are included in our product

recommendations as part of the Vitamin Advisor Questionnaire.

 

Vitamin C acts as a water soluble antioxidant and is essential to

the formation and health of connective tissue.

 

Bilberry and pycnogenol contain flavonoids. They support normal

formation of connective tissue, strengthen capillaries in the body,

and improve capillary and venous blood flow.

 

In addition, flavonoids called proanthocyanidins also support and

maintain natural regeneration of rhodopsin, the purple pigment used

by the rods in the eye for night vision. Studies show that

proanthocyanidins may be useful in supporting eye health as the body

ages.

 

Zinc plays an important role in antioxidant reactions that address

potentially harmful free radicals in the major tissues and cells of

the eyes.

 

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